Trunk.



115.774,921. I PATENTED 11011.15, 1904. H; ROMNDBR.

TRUNK.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAY 2s. 190s.

11o MODBII.1 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

El l m l `P111E11TE11 Nov. 15, 1904. H. ROMNDER.

TRUNK.

PPLIOATION FILED nu 26.1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No MODEL.

PATENTED NOV. l5, 1904.

H. ROMNDBR.

TRUNK. APPLIOATION HLBD un 2s. 190s.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTBD Nov. 15, 1904. H. .ROMNDBR TRUNK.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY ze. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

f2@ W22 for.'

UNITED STATES Patented November 15, 1904.

HERMANN ROMNDER, OF BLOOMSBURY, NEW JERSEY.

TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,921, dated November 15, 1904.

Application filed May 26, 1903. Serial No. 158,790. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN ROMNDER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomsbury, Hunterdon county, State ot' New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to trunks,valises,pack ing-cases, and other boxes and packages, and has for its object to provide such articles of strong and durable character, impervious to moisture without requiring any additional covering, and which shall combine lightness of weight and simplicity and cheapness ot' construction with unusual strength and durability.

To accomplish these objects,l Jform the trunk or package of right-angularly-disposed flat plates united by curved edge plates and cover the several open corners with strong caps or corner-plates. By this means the trunk or like package is provided with rounded edges, whichare less liable to become damaged from rough usage than is the case with the ordinary sharp edges of a trunk. rIhese fiat and curved plates may be composed of any suitable material, as wood-veneer plates consisting each of two or more layers of these veneers of snitable thickness, the grain of alternate layers being reversed and all the layersunitedby a waterproof gluing composition, whereby they form practically one homogeneous plate of wood, which being formed under heat and pressure into a straight or curved plate is much stronger and more durable than a considerably thicker board with the grain all running in one direction.

One form otl my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure l is a perspective view of a completed trunk. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a curved edge plate connecting two adjacent flat body-plates. Fig. 3 is a detail oi' one of the corners, showing three abutting curved edge plates and the open corner-space between them. Fig. 4t is an elevation of the corner cap or plate, preferably of metal. Fig. 5 is a section thereof. Fig.6 is adetail showing adjacent flat side and end plates united by curved edge plates. Fig. 7 is a detail showing the construction of the rounded bottom edges. Fig. 8 is a perspective elevation of apartly-t'ormed trunk, showing the side and back body-plates and the bottom plate arranged in position as separated from each other by intervening spaces and showing said plates as connected together by the curved edge plates, the said view also showing the open corner spaces or interstices between adjacent ends ot' curved edge plates, the said corner-spaces not being covered in this view by the corner-plates.

Same letters indicate similar parts in the different drawings.

A is the front body-plate; B, the side bodyplate; C, the front cover-plate or lid-plate; D, the side cover-plate. E is the back bodyplate. F' is the bottom plate. Each of these plates is constructed, as shown in Fig. 2, of a number of layers of wood veneer ab c, so arranged as to have the grain of adjacentlayers reversed.. Three such layers will ordinarily be suliicient, though more maybe used, it' desired. These plates A B C D E F are prei'- erably straight or fiat. The different layers are held together by any suitable waterproof gluing composition-such, for example. as a compound of glue and potash-and are kept under heat and pressure until they have receivedv their permanent shape, it being understood that the gluing together ot' two or more adjacent layers the grain of which runs parallel, w'hile the grain of the remaining layers is reversed, does not change the nature of myinvention. lhesestraightplatesare joined together at the side, top, and bottom edges, so as to form a complete trunk, case, or box, by edge plates which are preferably bent or curved to avoid sharp corners. Gr (see Figs. 2 and 6) shows such an edge plate, it being understood thatsuch a plate occurs at eachpi'the four top and bottom edges and also at the four vertical edges. These edge plates, like the straight plates, are .preferablymade or' a number of layers of wood veneerV alternately reversed and held together under heat and pressure until theyfhfive assumed the permanent bent character desired. These bent edge plates are cemented` or otherwise secured to the straight body-plates,and thus form a trunk or box complete, except at the eight corners,

IOO

the fiat side members and curved edge members when united leaving eight corner-spaces to be filled by strong' caps or corner-plates, as described hereinafter. The joints thus made are covered by the flat portions H of said edge plates G, which are provided with the angles Z CZ, so as to leave a face panel-space l, which may be left open or filled with an additional plate, as preferred. It will be noted that the approximating edges of the flat members do not meet to form a right-angular joint,but leave an edge space which is h'lled in with a curved edge member G,that overlaps the edges of said approximating dat members. Thus the complete trunk or like package is formed by fitting and suitably uniting' fiat andcurved members of suitable material. A curved lilling-piece g, which may be of one or more ply wood Veneer the grain of which runs, preferably,lengthwise of its curvature, is fitted between the opposite edges of adjacent straight or fiat body-plates, said curved plates f/ fitting against the inner curvature of edgeplates (lr to lill out the spaces left between the edges `of said straight or flat body-plates and to provide therewith a smooth inner surface for the trunk. Said curved plates g also serve to reinforce the edge plates G, to which they are glued. The otherwise open corners are covered with a cap-plate J, which is preferably made of metal and provided with a number of perforations c e, by which it may be securely screwed, bolted, or riveted by the bolts or rivetsff to each of the plates G adjacent to that corner which is covered by said cap. To make these joints absolutely waterproof, rubber or other packing material may be placed between the wood plates and these metal caps before they are fastened together, thereby producing an impervious joint.

The trunk or box thus formed may be provided with the usual hinges, clasps, lock, and straps or handles or not, as desired, according to the uses to which it is to be put.

To further strengthen the body and lid of the trunk or case, straps or bands K K, as shown in Fig. l, may be provided and secured thereto, which straps or bands l make of forgedsteel plate bent half-round and fastened to the body and lid by means of nails, screws, rivets, or otherwise to insure greatest strength and durability combined with neatness and economy.

It will be noted that the representation of the completed trunk in Fig. l of the drawings shows no lines of junction between the flat and curved plates of which the trunk is composed, it being understood that such lines are hidden from view by paint or other coating given the trunk in its completed form.

I claim- Y i l. An improved t1unl'c,valise, case or package composed of separated flat body-plates and curved or rounded edge plates connecting said body-plates, and caps or corner-plates consisting of metal or other suitable material, fastenedto each three adjacent edge plates forming the corners of the trunk or package and covering the open corners between the said edge plates.

2. An improved trunk, valise, case or package composed of separated flat body-plates and curved or rounded edge plates connecting said body-plates, each of said plates consisting of a number of layers of wood veneer of required thickness, the grain of alternate layers being reversed, united by waterproof gluing' composition under heat and pressure, whereby the layers practically become one homogeneous plate of wood; and caps or corner-plates, consisting of metal or other suitable material, fastened to each three adjacent edge plates forming the corners of the trunk or package and covering the open corners between the said edge plates, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. An improved trunk, valise, case or package, composed of separated fiat body-plates, and curved edge plates connecting said bodyplates, each of the said plates consisting' of two or more layers of veneer with reversed grain united by a waterproof gluing composition under heat and pressure whereby they practically become one homogeneous plate of wood, impervious to moisture and atmospheric influences; caps and corner-plates, and bent half-round forged-steel plates, placed around the trunk or package` and suitably fastened thereto, all substantially as shown and described.

A. ln an improved trunk, valise, case or package, a number of separated straight or flat wood-veneer plates forming the body part of the trunk or package, and a number of bent or curved wood-veneer plates, forming the edges of the trunk or package, suitably connected by means of overlapping the adjacent plates a sufcient length to produce strong joints, the overlapping parts being glued together with a waterproof cementing composition under heat and pressure whereby each joint practically becomes one homogeneous piece of wood, impervious to moisture and atmospheric influences, substantially as shown and described.

5. An improved trunk, valise, case or package, composed of a number of separated straight or flat body-plates, forming the sides, ends, top and bottom, and a number of bent or curved plates, forming the edges of the trunk or package, each of said plates consisting of two or more layers of wood veneer, the grain of alternate layers being reversed, and all the layers united by a waterproof cementingcomposition, under simultaneous heat and pressure, whereby they form practically one homogeneous plate of wood, impervious to moisture and atmospheric influences and permanently retain the shape they assume while being pressed, the overlapping parts IIO ering the opening left between adjacent edge plates at each corner, a suitablewaterprool` packing being placed between the wood-veneer plates and the said caps or corner-plates, all su bstantially as shown and described.

6. An improved trunk, valise, case or pack age, composed of a number of separated straight or ilat wood-veneer body-plates, and a number of bent or curved wood-veneer edge plates, cemented or otherwise secured to the straight body-plates, said edge plates having fiat portions, suitably secured to and overlapping the adjacent body-plates; together with a number of metal caps or corner-plates. suitably secured to the said wood-veneer plates at the corners of the trunk or package, all substantially as shown and described.

7. An improved trunk, valise, case or package, the side, end, top and bottom plates of which, consisting of flat waterproof wood-veneer plates or other suitable material, are spaced apart and joined at each edge to curved edge plates, which overlap and are suitably connected to the adjacent body-plates, substantially as shown and described.

8. An improved trunk, valise, case or package; the body and lid of which are composed or' a number ot' separated straight body-plates and a number of curved or rounded edge A plates, each of said plates consisting of a number or' layers of wood veneer, the grain of alternate layers being reversed, and united by a waterproof cementing composition under heat and pressure whereby the layers practically become one homogeneous plate of wood; the curved edge plates being suitably connected with and partly overlapping the straight body-plates; and metal corner-plates or caps, suitably secured to the wood-veneer plates, covering the corners of the trunk or package,substantially as shown and described.

9. An improved trunk, valise, case or package, composed of separated straight or liat side, end, top and bottom plates, and-curved or rounded edge plates, and caps or cornerplates, of metal or other suitable material, all suitably connected to form a trunk or package of great strength and durability, of light weight and impervious to moisture and atmospheric inliuences, the top and bottom, side, end and edge plates consisting each of a number of layers of wood veneer, the grain of alternate layers being reversed, and all the layers united by a waterproof cementing composition under heat and pressure, whereby they form practically one homogeneous plate or' wood,'impervious to moisture and atmospheric inliuences, and permanently retain the shape assumed under pressure, the said woodveneer plates being suitably connected, the overlapping portions of adjoining plates being glued together with a waterproof cementing composition under heat and pressure until each overlap forms practically one homogeneous piece of wood, impervious to moisture and atmospheric influences; the metal caps or corner-plates being suitably secured to the wood-veneer plates at the corners of the trunk. or package; a suitable Waterproof packing material being placed between the wood and the metal plates to produce strong and waterproofjoints at the corners of the trunk or package, and straps or bands of bent half-round `forged steel, placed around the trunk or package and suitably secured thereto, all substantially as shown and described.

10. An improved trunk, valise, case or package, all the edges of which are formed by curved edge plates, suitably joined to separated iat or straight body-plates, each of said plates consisting of a number of layers of wood veneer glued together with reversed grain by means of a waterproofl cementing composition, or of other suitable material; and caps or corner-plates suitably fastened to adjacent plates at the corners of the trunk or package, substantially as shown and described.

. HERMANN ROMUNDER. Witnesses:

CARL L. FIEDLER, H. FANDLIKER. 

